We May Have Another Democratic Congressman: Murphy's Lead Grows in NY-20

[ClarkUSA]

Democratic Congressional candidate Scott Murphy has expanded his lead to 168 votes over Republican plutocrat Jim Tedisco in the NY-20 special election, according to a new tally, which reflects military and overseas ballots and a few updates from various counties. Votes in Tedisco's stronghold in Saratoga County and Murphy's stronghold in Washington County have not yet been tallied.

Nate Silver says the results tallied so far suggest that Tedisco "is bound for defeat" because Murphy is outperforming expectations on the absentee ballots.

Hat Tip: Political Wire

[depakid]

1. If there was even any lingering doubt as to just how petty and self defeating Republicans are:

The challenge to Gillibrand's ballot, by the way, was incredibly dumb. If Tedisco and his staff are looking at the numbers objectively, he should know that his odds of winning are extremely long -- much longer than Norm Coleman's were at a comparable point in the counting process. Tedisco, however, only has to wait 19 months to challenge Murphy again rather than six years. Re-matches for House seats, moreover, have a much better track record than re-matches for Senate seats. So there are far more tangible consequences to him of losing the spin war and impairing his credibility going-forward, something which he may now have done irretrievably. If Tedisco has any semblance of political aptitude, he will withdraw the challenge and apologize on behalf of the overzealous staffer/lawyer who made it.

[4lbs]

10. That is lame, challenging her absentee ballot vote on the grounds she really was able to vote in

person.

Who cares? A person should be allowed to vote absentee if they want.

Here in California, a person can register to vote absentee for whatever reason.

My father registered absentee about 7 years ago, even though he can easily make it the mile to the voting booth if he wanted to in each election. He just prefers absentee.

I still vote in person though just because I like that way of doing it.

[Hope And Change]

2. K & R!

[Cha]

3. Gosh, I hope so ..for our country and

for the sake of sanity in the NY 20th District.

[Robbins]

4. NY-20

Murphy will be the new COngressman for NY-20.Consider Republicans couldn't win In a district where there Is more Republicans.

[ClarkUSA]

5. Yeah, their collective goose is cooked in 2010 if they lose a district where they are 2:1

Gte ready for Coleman-like legal delaying tactics.

[Yukari Yakumo]

6. Already there.

Teddy is using a Coleman-esque challenge every absentee ballot tactic...

... Unfortunately, he also challenged Gillibrand's absentee ballot. OOPS!

[ClarkUSA]

8. The GOP are such sore losers that they are making a mockery of themselves to voters.

Yeah, that challenge to Gillibrand's absentee ballot is something The Onion could've thought up.

Hopefully, their behavior will leave a lingering bad taste in voters' minds for a long time, enabling Democrats to
enlarge their majority in Congress in 2010, 2012, 2014, etc. :)

[saltpoint]

7. It would be a real lift to seat Murphy in this one instead of that

pukey airhead Tedisco.

I typed 'pukey airhead' but almost went with 'airhead Puke,' to implicate the entire GOP.

In any case, go Murphy!

[ClarkUSA]

9. Yup! Republicans said NY-20 would be their 2010 bellwether... not a smart prediction in retrospect.

This outcome should speed up the rate of retirement in the Senate, which may mean that by 2011, President Obama will
have a filibuster-proof majority and then some, if RINO/DLC Evan Bayh and his buddies don't side with Republicans against
Democratic legislative reform.

[saltpoint]

12. Agree -- not a very smart prediction at all. Tedisco may pull it out but

the fact that he's had to work up a monstrous sweat just to stay in contention pretty much makes fools of the Pukes.

I'm really rooting for Murphy.

[ClarkUSA]

13. He's 178 votes down now... and has sued to have the judge to declare him the winner!

He's officially jumped the shark.

Upstate New Yorkers can't really be enjoying this nonsense. Between Minnesota and this, the RNC is displaying the petulant Rovian strategery that makes Democrats look like the grownups in the room -- but get ready for challenges galore if and when there are close races in 2010.

[redwitch]

14. I just read that. He's out of his mind.

Scott is up 178 votes and it will go much higher when the challenged votes are finally counted. What a circus though!

[ClarkUSA]

15. Wow, to think Democrats once thought Republicans were political masterminds!

It's hard to fathom what the strategery is here... now the judge they are petitioning is hand-picked, which means he's a Republican toady,
but even then??

[AtomicKitten]

11. K&R! Let it be so.

n/t

[redwitch]

16. Scott Murphy ahead by 264 votes!

This is sooooooo over!

[Cha]

17. Thanks for the update, redwitch..

did you hear that from the tube?

[redwitch]

19. You're welcome! NYS Board of Elections website

I've been checking it every morning and evening. :hi:

[ClarkUSA]

18. Awesome!

Thanks for welcome update. :hi:

I'm not sure how much longer the RNC can drag this on but the longer they do, the less likely Tedisco will be able to run a credible
campaign next year.

[redwitch]

20. I suppose they can drag it out a long time. Look at Minnesota.

But Mr. Disco looks more lame every day that passes. Especially contesting Gillibrands vote and then trying to declare himself the winner when he clearly isn't. The tide sure has changed here in the 20th!

[ClarkUSA]

21. Yes, they can, which would be another RNC brain fart. BTW, do you live in NY-20?

[redwitch]

22. I do.

Am active with my local and county Dem committees. Washington County.

[ClarkUSA]

23. Must be fun times to be a Dem activist there now. How's Tedisco faring in local news?

I keep hoping that NY-20 voters are getting an eyeful of what a whiny loser Tedisco is turning out to be. Is that what is happening
or is Tedisco winning the PR war with his crazed victimhood? I notice that Murphy is wisely laying low, at least in the national
news. Hopefully, NY-20 Republicans will get so fed up that next year, Murphy will win by a bigger margin because it's almost
a sure thing that Tedisco will want to run again or do you think his reputation will be so shot by this ongoing freakshow that
he won't want to?

[redwitch]

24. I can't believe we have to go through this again next year!

But I think that Tedisco is finished. So many Republicans crossed over to vote for Kirsten, and now for Scott, it is very unlikely they will change back next year. I think people are figuring out that Tedsico is an empty suit with nothing to offer.
The Republican reign over us is over. Maybe we can actually get something done!

[ClarkUSA]

26. Lucky you. I'll bet Murphy trounces whoever runs against him after this.

But I think that Tedisco is finished. So many Republicans crossed over to vote for Kirsten, and now for Scott, it is very unlikely they will change
back next year. I think people are figuring out that Tedisco is an empty suit with nothing to offer.

Great points. Tedisco's reputation must be shot and local Democrat activists like you must be shaking your heads.

The Republican reign over us is over. Maybe we can actually get something done!

Signs look good. :party:

[redwitch]

25. Scott Murphy up 273 votes now.

This keeps getting better!

[ClarkUSA]

27. Wow. This is going to be over sooner than later at this rate.

Again, thanks for the updates! I keep checking back. lol! :hi:

[AlinPA]

28. Holding on to Gilliland's seat in that district would sting the republicans now.

[Cha]

29. I was over at my sister's house on the day of

the voting and she had the news on which I never would have seen if I hadn't been at her house.

Every ten minutes the ads were blasting against Murphy for some giant AIG sin:bounce: And, the local media kept framing the issue as a referendum on Prez Obama. I was getting more and more depressed recalling the last 8 years of media manipulation. You can imagine how happy I am with this latest on Murphy along with everyone else..especially those who worked so hard in the 20th District for Scott Murphy!